Fitz of Fitz-Ford; a legend of Devon - University Library

FITZ OF FITZ-FORD. 27
Under pretext of persecuting me for my reli-
gion, but in reality to find occasion to seize on
my wealth, that accursed Duke Alva threw me
into prison in the strong- walled city of Tour-
nay. There I should have perished but that I
had learnt the art to burrow in the earth, like a
fox that makes his passage, unsuspected, be-
neath these mighty rocks, whilst they stand
above unshaken by his cunning. I had secured
one implement of my old vocation ; and with
that I worked me a way, by toiling day and
night, and so escaped from my dungeon at a
time when a public uproar in the city favoured
it. As I journeyed towards the coast, I begged
in common charity for sustenance ; and when
men would have cursed me for a *Tew, I told
them of Alva's cruelty; and the hatred in
which they held that man, caused them, for
very spite to him, to throw me a portion from
their tables. At length I reached the coast,
where, learning that the lady Elizabeth, now
Queen of England, being desirous to improve
the art of w orking mines in these western parts,
had freely invited over into her country all
such as had practised the craft in Germany,
with large promises of reward to those who
were most skilled, I instantly availed myself
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